Looking After Men’s Physical & Mental Health

Some studies have shown that regular exercise along with a healthy diet helps to improve depression. Looking after men’s mental health leads to good physical health & longevity for men, as opposed to the lack of exercise and a poor diet that is linked to a range of health problems including obesity, depression, heart disease and some forms of cancer.  But there are more things men can do to look good, feel good and improve their overall wellness, requiring effort and willpower.

According to The Better Health Channel “The most common reasons given by men not being physically active are insufficient time because of work or study commitments, lack of interest, age (‘I’m too old’) and ongoing injuries or illness. Any physical activity is better than no physical activity! The general recommendation is that you should aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity on most days, as well as avoiding long periods of sitting. This is the same for women and men.” Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated. Particularly when exercising..

Ten Steps to Physical Wellness By Paul Meier, M.D.

1.  Love and be loved as you are. (Single men have 300% more serious physical illnesses, including depression, than married men with the same socio-economic background.) The Great Commandment is there for a reason.
2. Get a thorough annual physical exam, including routine labs plus thyroid tests.
3. Watch for life threatening illnesses, like sleep apnoea, inflammation of the blood vessels, cancer, etc.
4. Meditate on Scripture daily.  Make becoming more like Jesus your primary goal in life.
5. Eat right and drink right.
6. Take a daily liquid vitamin that is tested and proven.
7. Don’t let being overweight, smoking, or excessive alcohol or illegal drugs take years off your life.
8. Be moderate in your lifestyle with reasonable sleep, exercise, time to laugh with friends, etc.
9. Have margin in your life, that is, take time every day to relax or have some fun.
10. Never get “caught-up” in order to enjoy some time of relaxation, you are giving yourself more to do than Jesus would want. Jesus said his yoke is easy and his burden is light.

Dr. Meier relates his personal story regarding his recent health experiences and the steps he has taken towards physical wellness in his book, Blue Genes, 2005 Tyndale.

Here is a short excerpt.

“When I turned 58, two of my best friends . . . encouraged me to get the first complete physical exam of my life. I had never even had a regular family doctor and had missed only three days of work due to illness in thirty years. Plus, I am a physician and should know if anything is wrong.  But my friends insisted, so out of peer pressure I made an appointment that saved my life.”

Live in the present. The here and now is full of opportunities.

Men aged between 30 and 50 years are often not very physically active because they are busy with work and family commitments.  On the up sde, men’s mental health can improve for men who are looking after their bodies and minds with a nutritious diet and regular exercise.

Men taking care of themselves with a holistic approach to wellness are looking after the whole person as described in the bible. We aren’t just flesh and blood, but made of mind, body and spirit.

Sandra Ciminelli
Cred. Dip. Couns. (Christian)